Sotek walked over to the small clearing where the Collector had already positioned herself for their ‘duel’. He drew his spear then took his stance, but as he did so he swiped out a few times in the air. The Collector smiled softly as she watched him prepare to face her.
“Usually I can see the fear on people’s faces. You’re not afraid, are you?”
Sotek smiled back at her as he responded to her statement.
“Why should I be? The worst that can happen is I die, then my spirit would run to Hircine where I’ll wait for my mate. So, what can you do which would cause me to be afraid?”
She lowered her spear for a few seconds as she thought about his response.
“True, but there are worse things than death”.
The soft features in Sotek’s face disappeared as he fixed all his concentration on her eyes.
“Yes, but you should have considered that before you faced me”.
“You dare presume to beat me? I’m unbeatable. That’s no boast, I can’t be beaten, by anyone”.
“So, it’s true, you really are the true power to Huinzi’s reign. Interesting… They say that I’ve never been truly defeated. Oh, no doubt you’ll put me on my backside, but”.
“I defeated you before we even started, prepare yourself”. She started to charge forwards then swept her spear in a wide, circular arc. Sotek stabbed the ground then pushed back on his spear which propelled him away from her strike. She stopped as she found herself slightly fascinated by his defensive manoeuvre.
“Who taught you that?”
“What?”
“That move? I’ve seen that before, no matter”. She started charging towards him again, swiping at Sotek’s leg. He tried to block it, but she was way too fast. His knee was knocked away, causing him to fall to the ground. As she bought the spear down upon him, he held his spear tightly along his body then rolled out of the way. A second later he lashed out with the tip, but she was just a faction quicker. She lifted her leg up in surprise from his sudden attack but quickly stamped her foot down on top of the spear, jamming it under her boot. Sotek looked up at her to see her spear tip rest inches from his throat.
“So, you are good with spears. I have to admit, that was a close one. Anyone else and you would have broken their ankle. No doubt that would have been the end of it. But alas, you failed. Now Axes, you use axes. Yes?”
Sotek pulled himself up from the ground then dusted himself off. Aela glared across at him.
“Wake up you moron! You can do better than that”.
Sotek held his hand up to the Collector, halting the sparing.
“Wait, I need a few seconds. He pulled out of his pack some strips of leather then made a chew bar out of them. He then smiled at Aela as he tucked it in her mouth. “Chew and shut up”. Sotek then drew his axes and took his stance as the Collector prepared to attack him once again.
This time Sotek charged at her. He swung his axe down in a short but deadly arc. She immediately countered with one of her axes and blocked it instantly. All his power and strength was dissipated within moments. He tried to pull his axe back, but it was locked with her own weapon. As she felt him pull it away, she twisted her axe which caused Sotek to relax his arm else he knew he would have lost his own weapon. Her second axe swept at his side, although it was surprisingly slow. Sotek blocked it easily, but he quickly found out why it was such a simple strike to block.
Moments later, both of his arms were held fast, due to all four axes being locked within each other. She suddenly flipped up and kicked out at Sotek’s chin, sending him backwards once more.
“That has to be a record! Twice now you‘ve been put on your arse”.
Moments later the chew bar struck Sotek on the head. He laughed as he pulled himself up.
“Harbinger, what’s my record?”
“We counted to fifty then gave up”.
The Collector laughed as she looked over to the Harbinger.
“He gave up after you all put him on the floor after fifty attempts?”
Kodlak smiled back and shook his head.
“Oh no, he refused to give up. I meant, we gave up counting. That was around midday, he kept going until it was dark. I’m damned if I’m counting for that long”.
Sotek smiled across to the others as he dusted himself off once more.
“Yess well… it was pissing them off. How could I quit that? Anyway, I suppose you know magic?”
“Yes, and I’m more than proficient in all the schools, but I should warn you that…”
Sotek instantly cast his paralysis spell three times in quick succession. She frowned at him as each struck her, but instead of the spells taking effect, they dissipated on contact.
“I was trying to say that they have little effect on me. What about you?”
She threw her own spell at Sotek, who recognised the small green orb as it flew towards him. Within a second he stretched his tail out and took a step forward as he lowered his hands to his sides. The orb struck him, paralyzing him instantly.
She walked over to him as he stood perfectly balanced but paralyzed.
“Impressive, most would be on the floor with that. Just who did train you? The Companions certainly didn’t. Oh, no doubt Kodlak that you all trained him to use his weapons, but… Aela, what do you know of Argonian males? Come now, don’t be shy”.
Aela snapped out her response.
“I know he’s loyal, and he’ll never back down”.
The Collector chuckled and waved away Aela’s answer.
“That’s obvious, but did you know male Argonians are stronger than us females? We are quicker, and our minds far sharper. They are brutish and ogre like, all of them. Their minds are slow, often quite thick to be honest. Or rather they just see the basics”. She then turned to Sotek who was still paralyzed. She gazed into his eyes as she thought deeply. “But not you, your minds like a fire, burning every second. You knew that was a paralysis spell, and you prepared for it. Just who trained you to use your mind? Who’s in there talking to you, guiding you?”
The spell wore off then Sotek shook his head slightly. He frowned as he cast a look at her.
“I’m sorry, but that doesn’t count”.
She stopped then cast a glare full stare at him.
“What in Sithis do you mean?”
“Simple, you never put me on my backside, so it doessn’t count. Hsss”.
Her jaw nearly dropped as she stared at him in disbelief. But a moment later she found herself laughing at his audacity. She cast a fireball just in front of him which exploded on impact. The force blasted him off his feet as he became enveloped in flames. Aela watched in horror as he flew backwards and crashed into the ground while the flames smothered him. He rapidly cast two spells upon himself, one of which Aela recognised as a healing spell, but the other one was unbeknown to her. After a few seconds, the flames died down, leaving Sotek standing there smiling, relatively unhurt.
He grinned at the Collector then quickly cast his Flaming Familiar at her. A blue portal opened then it erupted in flames as the flaming wolf ran across to her. On reflex, she struck it with her axe, causing it to explode, sending her sideways into the dirt. Sotek waved sarcastically at her as she smothered out the flames.
“Three to you, one to me”.
Her eyes narrowed as she looked straight at him with a dagger like glare.
“Humph. What’s next, Archery? Grab your bow”.
Sotek walked over to Aela and quietly spoke as he watched the Shadowscales tie three rings of rope around two trees.
“What’s going on?”
“Simple, you bloody idiot. You’ll have to shoot the three rings before she does. Oh grief, Harbinger! He has enough trouble shooting bloody apples”.
Kodlak gently squeezed her hand as if to answer her. He spoke softly to Sotek, but even though he whispered to him, he knew Aela could hear every word.
“You do have a plan don’t you? Aela’s worried about you, she’s really worried, and to be honest so am I. But your monkeying about isn’t helping”.
Sotek’s tail flapped about as he faced the owlish stare of the Harbinger.
“I’m playing for time. Monkeying about is all I have at the moment. Still working out the angles I’m afraid”.
Sotek sighed then pulled Aela’s face to his chest, he kissed the top of her head gently.
“I’m ermm… Yea”. He sighed once more then headed of towards the Collector who stood tapping her foot at him. He stood alongside her then eyed up the three rope rings.
He gulped loudly as he saw just how hard it would be to hit them. Turning to the Collector, Sotek raised his hand and spoke.
“I’m quite a lousy shot to be honest. Ermm… Would you mind if I stand a bit closer?”
She tutted under her breath then shoved him backwards, pushing him out of the way. The next second she shouted out.
“Aela, get over here. You can shoot for him”. She then poked Sotek in the chest hard. “It won’t make a difference”.
Aela stood next to her then took aim. The Collector gazed at Aela for a few seconds, studying her form, then she smiled at her.
“You can shoot first. We keep shooting until the ropes are cut. When you’re ready”.
Aela looked over towards Sotek and smiled.
“Don’t worry, I’ve done this before”. She took aim then fired off her first arrow. It flew fast and true as it shot across the ground and slammed into the tree. The rope split into two as Aela fired off a second arrow. She heard three thuds as her second shot did its work. She fired off her third arrow but as she watched it fly towards its target, another arrow came out from nowhere and struck it in mid-flight, sending it spinning off wildly. Aela snapped as she turned to face the Collector. “What the fuck?”
She smiled back at Aela as she pointed to the trees.
“Sorry, you’re too late”.
Aela starred at the trees. She saw the three ropes of the Collectors tree cut perfectly. Sotek walked up behind her then held her tightly in his arms.
“You did well”.
Aela felt weak and sick in the stomach.
“She shot my arrow out of the bloody air! What the hell is she?”
Sotek looked straight at her, he studied her for several seconds as he thought about the fight ahead.
“I’m not going to win, am I?”
The Collector gave a small laugh as she watched Aela’s eyes turn desperate.
“No, you’re going to lose. Like I said, I can’t be beaten. But mind you, you haven’t tried Scarface yet. Just so you’re aware though, if you decide to…” The very next second four silver darts flew out of her hands and embedded in a tree, thirty yards away. She turned to Sotek once more then shrugged her shoulders. “If you decide to use him, he’s dead”.
Sotek walked over to the darts then pulled one out of the tree. He weighed it in his hand as he examined the craftsmanship.
“These are nice. Based on the Elvish design. Light, but very effective”.
She glanced over to him with an obvious surprised look on her face.
“How did you know that?”
“I’m a blacksmith. These are an exceptional quality”.
“The best”.
“Nearly, but I know of a Nord who could make better. Eorlund… He can make better”. He then stabbed the tree and turned to face her once more. He cast a quick look at Aela and saw the worry which her eyes betrayed so easily. He then turned to the Harbinger and saw the same deep concern. “I’m missing something. You’re not that good, you can’t be. You can’t be”.
She just laughed at him.
“Oh, but I am. Axes, swords, magic, spears. It makes no difference, I’ve got you cold. Say goodbye to Aela, then choose your weapon”.
Sotek slowly pulled out ‘Spirit’, his axe and held it loosely in his hand. His throat felt dry and he knew he was playing for time and it was running out, fast.
The Harbinger was all too aware that Sotek was in trouble. As he studied the Argonian who had proved himself on so many occasions to be capable, resilient and resourceful, way beyond the other Companions, an idea popped into Kodlak’s head. He called out, summoning the Companion to his side.
“Sotek, over here. I need a word”. He whispered to the Companion, making sure no-one else could hear. “I presume you have come up with nothing as of yet? No, don’t answer… I know lad. You need to force her hand”.
“Force her hand?” Sotek stated. “She’s forcing her own hand. He needs to find a way to turn it around”.
Sotek was referring to himself as ‘he’. This told the Harbinger everything. The Argonian was worried. He knew he was in deep trouble. “You need to draw her in. Make a deal, you are so good at making deals. You pick the location, let her pick everything else. Can you do that? Can you lay that deal down and sweeten it, so she accepts?”
Sotek shrugged then nodded.
“Yes, he honestly thinks he can. He dares presumes you have a plan? Hmm? Very well Harbinger, he trusts you and will do as you ask”.
“Sotek”. The Harbinger added. “You must keep her blind to the truth. Play with her mind as you do with the Companions. When strong, feint weakness. When weak, feint strength and your enemy will fight ghosts while you pull at their strings”.
Sotek smiled back and nodded.
“When calm, feint anger. When angry feint calm and the enemy chases phantoms while you pay with their mind”.
“Sotek”. The Harbinger said with a grin. “That is you all over”.
Sotek composed himself then smiled, turning his head to the Collector. “I’m not going to win, am I? I know, I’ve asked you that just now. You know, it strikes me that, for you at least, there’s no pressure. You don’t care if you live or die yet I have the burden of worrying about Kul-et. She will lose everything if I fail. That doesn’t help my situation. Then there is the She-wolf, my mate”.
“She-wolf?” The Collector asked.
Sotek snapped back angrily.
“Aela! Aela the Huntress… You don’t get to call her She-Wolf, that name for her is mine! That’s my name for her. I chose it for her, I use it for her. Not the Harbinger, not the Companions, not the Whelps and certainly not a hatchling half spawn like you!”
By now Sotek was pacing around and his tail swished about savagely, kicking up dust and knocking away pebbles and small rocks.
“Right, Huinzi… Let’s make this interesting. Share the load, as it were”.
The Argonian looked across at him, he eyed Sotek suspiciously as he answered.
“In what way?”
“Well, you want Kul-et to marry Shadow Walker, don’t you? And you want me dead. This is my wager. The Collector can choose my armour and her own armour. She can choose any weapon she likes, but I’ll fight with an apple”.
The Collector looked at him like he was crazy.
“An apple? What is this?”
Sotek smiled at her.
“It’s my weapon of choice, but I chose where we fight. I chose the location”.
The Collector laughed at him, she looked across at the Shadowscales then smiled wildly.
“An apple?”
“Yes, however, there’s slightly more to it than that”.
“Like what?”
“If I lose, you can take my heart. Aela will be your slave, until she dies. Veezara’s head would be yours to place on a pole, and Kul-et will marry anyone you want her to. And she will go with you back to Blackmarsh”.
“And if you win?”
“Huinzi accepts the fact that this fighting stops. He and you come to Whiterun and accept any demands I make to the pair of you. Basically, winner takes all”.
Huinzi snapped his response.
“Unacceptable”.
“Why? You afraid I’ll win? With an apple?”
The Collector walked over to him.
“I can pick any weapon or armour, and you’ll just have an apple?”
“Basically, yes”. Sotek said flatly. He folded his arms across his chest and stood tall, defiant and certain of his own fate and path.
“You’re going to try to beat me with an apple?”
Sotek leaned into her face then smiled wildly at her.
“No, I never said I will try. There will be no ‘try’. Don’t accept, you’ll die”.
The Collector spat at the ground in contempt.
“I accept, and your heart will sit in my box. Aela say goodbye to the others. Once he’s dead, you’re coming to Blackmarsh”.
Sotek laughed out loudly.
“There’s one slight catch… I need you to give Aela the apple”.
“What?” The Collector said as she sharply turned to him.
He smiled at Aela and cast a quick wink at her, then he turned back to the Collector.
“I’m guessing you’re untrained in the ways of Mysticism. I however, am not. Now, if you so please, you’ll need an apple. What weapons and armour do you want?”
She eyed him suspiciously as she replied.
“We’ll use what we have”.
“Good”. Sotek answered. “We’ll fight… Ermm… Harbinger? Any suggestions?”
Kodlak nodded and stepped forwards.
“North of Winterhold is a Companion burial site. You can fight near there. It’s called Ysgramor’s Tomb. Sotek, when you are near it… Reflect on your situation. You will be surprised how much it helps”.
“You lie!” the Collector yelled out angrily.
Kodlak snorted back in outrage at the suggestion. His face was indignant as he responded to her accusation.
“I most certainly do not lie madam! I am the Harbinger of the Companions! Lie indeed!” He leaned over to Aela who was at his side and whispered to her. “That’s why I keep your mate around. He lies far better than what I can, and my soul stays pure”.
Aela burst out laughing, causing everyone to turn to her. She sheepishly held her hand up apologetically and turned around while her shoulders shook from her sniggering.
Sotek stepped forwards and poked the Collector in the back, drawing her attention back to himself.
“We’ll travel to Whiterun then get the carriage to Winterhold. Aela, Kul-et and the Harbinger can come with us. You can pick three Shadowscales to travel with us as well”.
The Collector pointed to Shadow Walker.
“Fine, I’ll have Shadow Walker, and two lackeys. Huinzi, you can wait in Whiterun for our return”.
He snapped out his response.
“No, just kill him”.
She strode over to him then slapped him across the face.
“You remember your place. Sotek, I agree to your terms”.
Within five minutes everyone mounted up on horses then travelled across the plains while the werewolves disbanded and resumed their ‘normal’ lives. As they headed towards Whiterun, Sotek called out to Rikke.
“Can you and your troops stay in Whiterun? Just to keep an eye on the place?”
“Will do. By the Eight and One Sotek, what are you up to?” Sotek didn’t answer, but just laughed as he sped up his horse.
By early evening they arrived outside Whiterun. Numerous times Aela tried to confront Sotek but he ignored her. They boarded the carriage then set off towards Winterhold but even then Sotek never spoke. He didn’t even take a seat but instead he took a fur then laid down on the carriage floor and covered himself up. Within five minutes, the others found themselves sitting there in silence while he slept.
Comments
Based on the [Elven] design.
Hmmm, w... more
Based on the [Elven] design. ... more